“ Collagen （胶原蛋白）” 是一种能够使皮肤和骨骼更加强健的蛋白质。从成年早期开始，人体产生的胶原蛋白就会逐渐减少。而吸烟和日晒伤害更是会加速这一流失过程。一篇研究综述发现，胶原蛋白片或胶原蛋白粉虽然能改善皮肤、缓解关节疼痛，但它们并非 “灵丹妙药”。

Lots of places sell or advertise collagen supplements, but what are the benefits of taking them on a daily basis? A new scientific review by a team from Anglia Ruskin University, published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, has looked into exactly this, and here's what it found.  

很多地方都销售或宣传胶原蛋白补充剂，但每天服用胶原蛋白究竟有哪些益处？安格利亚鲁斯金大学的一个团队在《美容外科杂志开放论坛》上发表了一项研究，针对这个问题进行了深入探讨，以下是其研究发现。

Let's start with the basics. What is collagen? Well, it's a type of protein found naturally in the body. It supports and strengthens the skin, nails, bone and connective tissues. But the amount the body makes drops with age.

首先从最基本的概念说起。胶原蛋白是什么？它是一种天然存在于体内的蛋白质。胶原蛋白支撑并加固皮肤、指甲、骨骼和结缔组织。但其合成速度随着年龄增长而下降。

The team behind this review assessed the results of 113 trials involving nearly 8,000 people, and say it brings together the strongest evidence to date on collagen supplements. They say it shows the pills or powders can offer some real skin-rejuvenating gains. Taken daily, the protein can improve skin tone or elasticity and moisture, but it doesn't appear to prevent other signs of ageing, such as wrinkles. The researchers also say supplements can boost collagen levels to ease joint pain and stiffness from wear-and-tear arthritis.

该研究团队评估了涉及 8000 人的 113 个试验结果，并表示这是迄今为止对胶原蛋白补充剂的效果最强有力的证据。研究指出，服用胶原蛋白片或胶原蛋白粉确实能带来一定的 “焕肤” 功效。坚持每天服用，胶原蛋白可以改善肤色、弹性和水分，但似乎无法预防其它老化痕迹，比如皱纹。研究人员还表示，这些补充剂可以提升胶原蛋白水平，从而缓解由磨损性关节炎导致的关节疼痛与僵硬。

Experts say consumers should be cautious about bold anti-ageing claims and weigh up the potential benefits against the price. And there are several types of supplements people can take, including marine from fish, bovine from cows and vegan collagen. The review was unable to show if any worked better than the others.

专家表示，消费者应该警惕夸张的抗衰老宣传，并权衡潜在的益处和价格。目前市面上有多种胶原蛋白补充剂可供选择，包括鱼胶原、牛胶原和纯素胶原蛋白。这篇综述尚无法证实其中哪一种的效果更好。

词汇表

supplements 补充剂
on a daily basis 每天，每日
connective tissues 结缔组织
to date 迄今为止，到目前为止
powders 粉末，散剂
skin-rejuvenating 焕肤的，使肌肤年轻化的
skin tone 肤色，皮肤光泽度
elasticity 弹性
moisture 水分
wrinkles 皱纹
joint pain 关节疼痛
stiffness 僵硬
wear-and-tear arthritis 磨损性关节炎
bovine 牛的

听力练习

一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。

1. What is the main topic of the report?
a. How collagen is produced in the body.
b. Research into the benefits of collagen supplements.
c. Reviewing different types of anti-ageing products.

二、用一分钟阅读下列问题，然后听第二遍音频并回答问题。

1. The human body cannot make collagen.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

2. Which word best describes how the researchers feel about the evidence their review brings?
a. unsure
b. indifferent
c. confident

3. The research concludes that collagen supplements must be taken from a young age to have an effect. 
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

4. How often should collagen be taken to improve skin tone, elasticity and moisture?
a. once a month
b. once a week
c. every day

5. Which of the following is NOT improved by taking collagen supplements?
a. skin elasticity
b. wrinkles
c. joint pain 

三、听第三遍音频，将句子补充完整。（提示：可以反复听，直到听清楚每一个词）

1. The researchers also say supplements can ________________ to ease joint pain and stiffness from wear-and-tear arthritis.

2. Experts say consumers should be cautious about bold anti-ageing claims and ________________ the potential benefits against the price.

答案

一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。

1. What is the main topic of the report?

b.  Research into the benefits of collagen supplements.

二、用一分钟阅读下列问题，然后听第二遍音频并回答问题。

1. b. False. What is collagen? Well, it's a type of protein found naturally in the body.

2. c. The team behind this review assessed the results of 113 trials involving nearly 8,000 people, and say it brings together the strongest evidence to date on collagen supplements.

3. c. Not given. The report makes no mention of when someone should start taking collagen supplements.

4. c. Taken daily, the protein can improve skin tone or elasticity and moisture…

5. b. Taken daily, the protein can improve skin tone or elasticity and moisture, but it doesn't appear to prevent other signs of ageing, such as wrinkles.

三、听第三遍音频，将句子补充完整。（提示：可以反复听，直到听清楚每一个词）

1. The researchers also say supplements can boost collagen levels to ease joint pain and stiffness from wear-and-tear arthritis.

2. Experts say consumers should be cautious about bold anti-ageing claims and weigh up the potential benefits against the price.